One thing I remember well, from when I was little, is the Zodiac Killer (notorious from the San Francisco Bay Area).

Every morning and afternoon before boarding the school bus, it was "drilled" into us what we were supposed to do if we heard something similar to a tire blowing out.

Federal officers boarded our school buses, and took seats.

I don't remember how long that lasted, only that it was pretty freaky. I think that probably affects why I still have an aversion to public transportation.


It happened around the same time my uncle held his family hostage and 17 Sheriff's deputies surrounded his house; he refused to come out even after canisters of tear gas were used. He also refused to give up his weapons. Officers broke into the house, he spun around (with those guns) and they shot him. He died. And, I'll never forget the smell of tear gas.


911: I was asleep, and a friend woke me to tell me to turn on the "Today Show." The rest, we all know too well .